Our Work in sub-Saharan Africa
Empowering Change, One Innovation at a Time
In Sub-Saharan Africa, where healthcare disparities loom large, our program is making tangible strides toward equity and meaningful institutional partnerships. Through the active support of the Africa Institute, the Frugal Biomedical Innovations Program (FBIP) has established a Global Research Coalition, resulting in research collaboration agreements with engineering, science, and medical programs at eight universities in six African nations, including:
→The University of Nairobi and Kenyatta University, Kenya
→ Makerere University and Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Uganda
→ Bahir Dar Institute of Technology, Ethiopia
→ University of Rwanda, Rwanda
→ University of Ibadan, Nigeria
→ Universite Cheikh Anta Diop, Senegal
These partnerships have facilitated transformative research and innovation in medical technology development in sub-Saharan Africa. Furthermore, the program has also established collaborations with medical device companies in Africa and the Middle East.
The FBIP has also prioritized understanding healthcare priorities in partner communities and co-created medical technologies that are contextually and culturally appropriate.
We have supported several partner-led projects through the Frugal Biomedical Innovations Catalyst Grant program, including the development of 3D-printed hands and legs to enable disabled people to live dignified lives in Ethiopia and a smart toothbrush/tele-dentistry system to improve oral health for children with neuro-developmental challenges in Kenya (see image below). These efficient and effective solutions are rooted in a true understanding of the community and the end-users.
However, the needs still outweigh the current scope of our program. A 2021 survey of 700 healthcare facilities in Burkina Faso, Kenya,and Malawi found that 90% of those facilities had insufficient access to critical technologies for maternal, neonatal, and child health care, such as blood pressure cuffs, hemoglobin monitors, neonatal resuscitators, infusion devices, and ultrasound X-ray imaging systems (Path.org, Market Dynamics for MNCH Medical Devices (MD4MD) Project, https://www.path.org/our-impact/resources/market-dynamics-mnch-medical-devices-md4md-project/).
We look to continue expanding our scope and network of partnerships and offer unique educational fellowships to our partners in Africa through our Frugal Innovations Scholars Program.
